HTMC Hikers' Guide
General Information
Hiking Information [Rev 09/2006]
- The Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club was founded in 1910. Our
purpose is to enjoy and maintain the trails of our Island mountains,
valleys, and coastlines. We hike mainly on Oahu (where most of
us live). Many, but not all, of our weekly hikes are open to
the public.
- Our hiking schedules are issued quarterly in late December,
March, June, and September and is available online at http://htmclub.org/skednewsl.html
or http://calendar.yahoo.com/htmclub?v=2.
Our hikes are usually listed in the newspapers and other publications
under current events.
- We hope the following pages provide the information you need.
If you have specific questions not covered here feel free to
contact us.
MAPS
- The University of Hawaii Press "Reference Maps"
of each island show major trails and are probably the most useful
maps you can buy. They are available in local book stores.
- Bryan's Sectional Maps - Oahu is useful for locating trails,
but gives no information about them.
- USGS Topographical maps are available from Pacific Map Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy 206A, Honolulu HI 96817 (808-545-3600).
- The State Division of Forestry has available recreation maps
for the islands of Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. No such maps are
currently available for Kauai and Oahu, but they have overlays
of topographical maps showing state trails on Oahu, many of which
however, are not maintained and may be difficult to find without
further guidance.
- Maps of National Park trails are available at the parks and
stores.
INFORMATION
- Books on Hawaii's wildlife, hiking, bicycling, camping, kayaking,
maps and other information can be ordered by mail from Hawaii
Geographic Society, P.O. Box 1698, Honolulu, HI 96806. Write
to them for their free brochure.
- Perhaps the best book for Oahu trails is Stuart Ball's "A
Hikers Guide to Oahu". His "The Backpackers Guide to Hawaii" and
"Hiker's Guide to the Hawaiian Islands" provide excellent general
hiking and backpacking information, as well as detailed descriptions
of 10 areas covering 4 islands.
- Richard McMahon's book "Camping Hawaii" is a comprehensive
all-island camping reference and contains much interesting additional
information.
- Robert Smith's "Hawaii's Best Hiking Trails"..
- Craig Chisholm's "Hawaiian Hiking Trails".
- Kathy Morey has a series of Hawaii trail guides published.
- All the books cover the islands and contain detailed information
on campgrounds, permits, equipment, and how to get to trailheads
by bus and car.
- These books are usually available at bookstores, the airport
magazine shop and the various Sierra Club offices. You can also
purchase them online at Amazon, Borders and Barnes and Noble websites.
- The Hawaii Visitors Bureau (808-923-1811) is a good source
for general information.
OTHER HIKING GROUPS
- The Sierra Club has chapters on Kauai, Maui, and the Big
Island as well as on Oahu. It may be possible to join them for
a hike. Write Sierra Club, PO Box 2577, Honolulu, HI 96803 (808-538-6616).
- The Hawaii Nature Center, 2131 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu
HI 96822, (808-955-0100) sponsors informative hikes.
- Guided walks are conducted through Hoomaluhia Park (808-233-7323).
- The Audubon Society (PO Box 22832, Honolulu, HI 96823) sponsors
hikes and bird watching expeditions.
- Be sure to enclose a self addressed stamped envelope when
writing for information.
INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL
- At present this is by air only. The interisland airlines
are very competitive and fares change frequently. Airlines do
not permit camping fuel to be carried on board or in baggage.
They will carry bicycles for an extra charge. Some protection
for your backpack is wise, but generally not essential.
CAR RENTAL
- Car rentals prices are very competitive. If you book through
your interisland airline you can get a discount. Car rental in
Hawaii seldom includes a mileage charge, but they really soak
you for insurance. Check with your car insurance agent or credit
card company to see if either provides rental car insurance.
- Most companies require a major credit card and are reluctant
to rent to campers who cannot give a hotel or local address.
A car is usually necessary to get to trailheads on islands other
than Oahu.
- DO NOT leave anything valuable inside the car.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- Available on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island.
- Oahu has excellent bus service and a number of good hiking
trails can be reached this way. For point-to-point information
call The Bus at 808-848-5555. Maps of the routes are available
at most bookstores. Luggage and large backpacks are not permitted
on Honolulu buses. Airport buses are particularly strict on this.
- Service on the Big Island is more limited. There is a daily
(ex. Sunday) trip from Hilo to Kailua-Kona and back and a bus
which stops near Volcanoes National Park. Call Hawaii County
Transit Systems (Hele-on) at 808-961-8744. Bikes and packs are
welcome for $1.00.
- Maui provides service only from the airport to the resorts.
HITCH-HIKING
- Illegal on all islands, although some do it. Arrests are
rare.
CAMPING
- Permits are required for campgrounds at all state, county,
and national parks.
- Permits for national park campgrounds can be obtained in
person at the park.
- Permits for state and county parks (except Oahu) are best
obtained by mail; addresses are given under the individual islands
below (a photocopy of a picture ID of each camper is generally
requested).
SAFETY
- There are very few problems with backcountry camping in Hawaii
and you will find the campsites uncrowded by mainland standards.
Unfortunately roadside camping at state and county beach parks
has become somewhat unsafe. Many visitors do so with no problems,
however. If you plan to camp on a roadside beach use common sense,
and don't camp alone.
CABINS
- Inexpensive housekeeping cabins provided by the Dept of Parks
and Recreation and others can be rented at several locations
on the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. See below under individual
islands.
EQUIPMENT
- Generally the same as you would use at home in summer, taking
altitude into consideration. See chart below. Evenings tend to
be cool even at sea level and mountain ridges are wet and windy
so bring something windproof and warm. Be prepared for rain and
mud, especially in the mountains.
- Bring a stove; building fires is destructive or impractical
in many areas and is often prohibited. White gas is the most
easily obtained fuel (try Longs Drugs on any island).
- The best store in Honolulu for backpacking equipment is the
Bike Shop, 1149 South King St., Honolulu (808-596-0588).
- You can rent equipment from Omar the Tent Man, 650A Kakoi,
Honolulu (808-836-8785) or on the Big Island from Pacific Rent-All
(808-935-2974).
RAINFALL
- Rainfall varies greatly from one part of an island to the
next. The windward sides of islands (northeast) are the wettest.
Rainfall also increases with altitude up to several thousand
feet and then tapers off. October - April are the wettest months;
August and September the driest.
HAZARDS
- At these latitudes, the ultraviolet rays from the sun are
strong. Adequate sunscreen and other sun protection is a must.
- High heat and humidity may significantly lower your stamina
on longer hikes.
- When exploring rocky shorelines use caution and remember
the old Hawaiian admonition "Never turn your back to the
sea"- sudden large waves frequently sweep people away.
- Inland, watch out for crumbly eroded slopes and rocks and
vegetation that come loose as you grab them. (Do not plan to
use rock climbing equipment in Hawaii - the rock is rotten.)
Watch out for dangerous drop-offs concealed by vegetation;
our trails are often extremely narrow.
- If you are exploring unfamiliar territory plan to be out well
before nightfall and remember that in the tropics it gets dark
shortly after sunset (see the chart below). Even at modest elevations,
cold wind and rain could make you very uncomfortable should you
be forced to spend the night.
- If lost in the mountains, stick to the ridges rather than
the valleys. At high altitudes (on Maui and the Big Island) altitude
sickness, severe sunburn, freezing temperatures, high winds,
snow and even white-out conditions are possible, so do not venture
into these areas unprepared.
- Treat all drinking water. Much of the fresh water in the
state is contaminated with the bacteria Leptospirosis. You can
become contaminated by swimming, wading or drinking and through
cuts in the skin. The flu-like symptoms may occur 2 to 20 days
after infection, and can become very serious. If in doubt, see
a doctor immediately.
- Watch for large centipedes (up to 8 inches) which may crawl
into empty boots or open tents. The bite is painful but not serious.
- Much is said about danger from marijuana growers. In our
experience if you stick to the main trails you are unlikely to
encounter any difficulty.
- Never leave valuables in parked cars.
TEMPERATURES and DAYLIGHT HOURS
- Locale (range in degrees Farenheit)
- Honolulu, Oahu (sea level) -- 52F-92F
- Kokee State Park, Kauai (4000 ft) -- 31F-80F
- Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii (4000 ft) -- 37F-85F
- Haleakala Summit, Maui (10,000 ft) -- 16F-73F
- Mauna Kea Summit (13,796 ft) -- 11F-66F
- DAYLIGHT: (Sunrise-Sunset)
- June 21 5:49 AM-7:10 PM
- Dec 21 7:05 AM-5:55 PM
TRAILS OF THE ISLANDS
- The following is a summary of the major backpacking trips
and some of our favorite day hikes on the most frequently visited
islands. No attempt has been made to give detailed directions.
You will need a map or hiking guide. Some of the trails mentioned
may require permission. If you plan to hike outside the national
parks, Ball's, Smith's or Chisolm's guidebook will be very useful.
SPECIAL NOTE
- AFTER HIKING PLEASE WASH AND SCRUB YOUR BOOTS BEFORE HIKING
IN OTHER AREAS. Clidemia hirta, a terrible plant pest that is
crowding our native plants and destroying trails, is not yet
established in some areas. Clidemia's invisible seeds stick to
boots. Don't spread Clidemia to other areas!
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